Saints Hippolytus & Cassian, Martyrs
Ss. Hippolyti et Cassiani Martyrum
On this day the Church honours two martyrs: Saint Hippolytus, venerated among the early martyrs of Rome, and Saint Cassian of Imola, a Christian schoolmaster who died for the faith.
This feast joins the memory of two martyrs whose veneration is ancient. Saint Hippolytus was honoured from early times among the martyrs of Rome, his tomb venerated on the road to Tibur; and Saint Cassian was a martyr of Imola in northern Italy, remembered as a schoolmaster who suffered for Christ.
Saint Hippolytus
Saint Hippolytus belongs to the early Roman Church, where his memory was kept with honour and his burial place on the Via Tiburtina was a place of veneration. The figure of Hippolytus in the history of the early Church is a subject of much learned study, and the dramatic narrative of his passion that was later read on his feast belongs to the martyr-legends whose particulars cannot be established with certainty. What is sure is the antiquity of his cultus at Rome and the witness of the faithful who honoured him as a martyr from the early centuries.
Saint Cassian of Imola
Saint Cassian was venerated as a martyr at Forum Cornelii, the city now called Imola. The Christian poet Prudentius, writing about the year 400, tells how on a journey he prayed at the tomb of Saint Cassian and there learned the account of his martyrdom from one who explained the picture of the saint above his grave. According to that account, Cassian was a schoolmaster who, refusing to sacrifice to the false gods, was given over to be put to death, and so won the crown of martyrdom. This early testimony of Prudentius makes the veneration of Saint Cassian one of the well-attested cults of the martyrs of northern Italy.
The collect of the day prays that the venerable festival of the blessed martyrs Hippolytus and Cassian may increase in us both devotion and salvation. In these two the Church honours the witness of those who, whether in the great city of Rome or in a town of the provinces, gave their lives rather than deny the faith of Christ.
The Collect
Grant, we beseech thee, O almighty God, that the venerable festival of thy blessed Martyrs Hippolytus and Cassian may increase in us both devotion and salvation.
Da, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut beátórum Mártyrum tuórum Hippolýti et Cassiáni veneránda sollémnitas, et devotiónem nobis áugeat et salútem.
Patronage
Saint Hippolytus is venerated among the early martyrs of Rome; Saint Cassian is honoured as patron of the city of Imola and, for his office, of schoolmasters and students.
In the Modern Calendar
In the modern calendar Saint Hippolytus is commemorated on 13 August together with Pope Saint Pontian, while these companions are no longer kept together as on this day.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saints Hippolytus and Cassian?
Their commemoration is kept on 13 August in the calendar of the 1962 Roman Missal, as a Fourth Class feast.
Who were Saints Hippolytus and Cassian?
Saint Hippolytus was a martyr venerated at Rome from the early centuries, honoured at his tomb on the Via Tiburtina. Saint Cassian was a martyr of Imola in northern Italy, remembered as a Christian schoolmaster who died rather than sacrifice to the false gods.
How much is reliably known about them?
Saint Cassian’s veneration is attested by the poet Prudentius, who prayed at his tomb about the year 400. The early historical figure of Hippolytus is much studied, and the dramatic story of his passion belongs to the later martyr-legends; what is certain is the antiquity of his veneration at Rome.
See where this feast falls in the Church’s year on the liturgical calendar, or find a Traditional Latin Mass near you.
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